“The Svalbard islands teem with life during the few short summer months and are surrounded by some of the richest sea in the world: the Arctic Ocean”

Few living creatures can survive the polar winter with its months of total darkness and freezing cold. Despite these conditions, many places are teeming with life during the few short summer months.

Arctic Survivors features life on the Arctic islands of Svalbard, Europe’s most northerly point, and provides the first account of some of their underwater wildlife.

For four months of the year there is no sunshine and for another four months the sun never sets.
This tree-less polar wilderness is abandoned for the dark winter by all the creatures that can go elsewhere. For those that stay, it’s a matter of battening down the hatches and conserving energy in the sub-zero temperatures.

In the summer, Svalbard teems with life. The permanent residents spring into action and seasoned visitors flock to the richest sea in the world: the Arctic Ocean.

This documentary shows how animals can cope with this severe climate, and discover some extraordinary adaptations shown by such diverse animals as the reindeer, the Arctic char fish, the polar bear, polar fox, seal, walrus, and a spectacular proliferation of bird life.

This DVD is accompanied by a beautifully illustrated 24-page hardback reference book. Watch the close-up wildlife film and at the same time read the book to learn about habitats, diet, life cycle and more. The book is packed with intriguing facts, illustrations, photography and a 'Test your knowledge' quiz.

English narration by Eugene Fraser
Filmed by Per-Magne Jensen, Hans Ostbom and Tony Holm
Produced and directed by Bo Landin for Scandinature Films (1993).

 To watch a pre-view of this DVD please visit YouTube or watch it at the bottom of this page